In a significant development for India’s space and communication sectors, SpaceX successfully launched the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) GSAT-20 communication satellite on Tuesday. The launch took place from Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The GSAT-20 satellite, weighing 4,700 kg, is designed to strengthen India’s communication infrastructure by supporting a wide range of services, including broadband, in-flight internet, maritime communications, and cellular backhaul services. This advanced satellite is equipped with Ka-Ka band high throughput capacity and features 32 beams that will provide pan-India coverage, even extending to areas such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The satellite is expected to operate for 14 years, improving communication across the country.
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ISRO chose SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket for the launch because GSAT-20’s size and weight exceeded the payload capacity of India’s current launch vehicles. For instance, the ‘Bahubali’ Launch Vehicle Mark-3 can carry a maximum of 4,100 kg. However, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is capable of carrying up to 8,300 kg into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), making it a suitable choice for heavier payloads like GSAT-20.
Till now, ISRO relied on the French company Arianespace for launching heavier satellites.
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ISRO is already working on its Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), which will have the capacity to carry payloads of up to 10,000 kg into GTO. With such advancements, India is poised to enhance its satellite capabilities.
The successful launch of GSAT-20, with the support of SpaceX, marks an important step toward advancing India’s communication infrastructure, benefiting millions of people across the country.
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